Arthrofibrosis

Arthrofibrosis of the knee

Arthrofibrosis of the knee is a complication of injury or surgery where an excessive scar tissue response leads to painful restriction of knee motion, with early adhesions and later scar tissue forming within the joint and soft tissue spaces, and persisting despite routine rehabilitation exercises and stretches. The term may involve flexion loss, extension loss or both.

Arthrofibrosis and patella baja (patella infera)

As the soft tissues behind and below the kneecap (patella) become involved in the scar tissue process, the kneecap may be pulled into an abnormally low position (patella baja) which may result in considerable pain with walking.

Side view of section through a normal knee, where there are no adhesions locking up movement.	Adhesions developing in the suprapatellar pouch, posterior capsule and anterior interval.	Matured scar tissue has contracted, closing the important spaces that normally allow movement, and pulling the kneecap right down.